The federal government will recognize the marriages of an estimated 1,300 same-sex couples in Utah as lawful, the Obama administration said Friday, even though the state government is declining to do so while it appeals a court ruling that struck down its gay marriage ban.

“I am confirming today that, for purposes of federal law, these marriages will be recognized as lawful and considered eligible for all relevant federal benefits on the same terms as other same-sex marriages,” Attorney General Eric Holder said in a video released by the Justice Department.

The move will allow the estimated 1,300 same-sex couples who were married after a federal judge ruled Utah’s gay marriage ban was unconstitutional, but before the Supreme Court halted same-sex marriages while the state appeals, to access federal benefits available to all married couples. Those include the ability to file joint tax returns. In its action Friday, the administration lifted some of the legal limbo facing couples who wed before the Supreme Court’s stay.

“These families should not be asked to endure uncertainty regarding their status as the litigation unfolds,” Holder said. “In the days ahead, we will continue to coordinate across the federal government to ensure the timely provision of every federal benefit to which Utah couples and couples throughout the country are entitled — regardless of whether they are in same-sex or opposite-sex marriages.”

A federal judge in Utah ruled on Dec. 20 that the state’s ban on same-sex marriage violated the constitution. Hundreds of marriage licenses were issued in the days after the judge’s decision. On Monday, the Supreme Court issued an order staying the ruling while a federal appeals court considers the state’s appeal.

Why are so many of you out in the world so damn dumb? Did you really pass high school history or learn anything? By what I'm observing of our America, is that people pay way to much attention to certain television individuals who are not all that aware of past knowledge or history either. People just follow like sheep in the hope of being popular or liked---but not correct. Stand up and face facts about the world. Things aren't right anymore.

This isn't really funny. Obama administration is now making its own laws. Who cares about the supreme court anymore? Hitler did the same thing, and made up his own rules and laws. Just research it and verify it..

If this actually goes the the supreme court, we're back in the same boat where all the critical issues have been settled by 5-4 votes that have little to do with the constitution and a lot to do with the conservative preferences of Roberts, Alito, Thomas and Scalia. Instead of legal principles argued, you'll hear a lot of historical references made, references to original intention and references to social impact. In the end it simply comes down to voting prejudices.

I support gay marriage and have for years. I do not support anything Eric Holder does. He is perhaps the worst U.S. Attorney General I can recall. Maybe only John Mitchell in the Nixon administration was more corrupt and out of order.

I'm inclined to agree except that DOMA was shot down in flames. Roberts, Thomas, Alito and Scalia are going to be the dissenters in the decision to uphold the federal courts throwing out the ban on gay marriage - assuming it's going to be heard by the SCOTUS. But since the SCOTUS has already ruled on this matter, there's no doubt it won't get that high and every federal court will HAVE to rule against banning gay marriage. They really don't have any choice in the matter because of the SCOTUS's ruling on DOMA's unconstitutionality.

That ruling ALONE made gay marriages both legal and constitutional in the U.S., regardless of what the states have said. But because of our judicial system, and states rights, each and every state with gay marriage bans must go through the expensive and ultimately futile process of defending that discrimination before their laws or state constitutional amendments are overturned. SCOTUS has sealed the fate of bans on gay marriage ALREADY.

So, in effect, litigating these bans is just a waste of taxpayer dollars. Good to know it's the rightists who are (once again) wasting taxpayer dollars on hate and discrimination. It makes them more vulnerable to charges of blatant hypocrisy when their stance is "smaller government and less spending".

I could care less about the Mormons. Frankly, I rather think we should have banned religion entirely. Most of the founding fathers were adamantly against Christianity in all its forms (Mormonism wasn't invented then). They were deists, for the most part.

A higher power is an arguable, but more acceptable, idea than the moronic and impossible BS most religions preach.

But Christianity is a particularly cancerous form of religion as practiced by CINO's. (don't get me started on Islam, either) Jesus never existed, of course (there's no secular proof of his existence at all), but his philosophy, while utterly impractical, is a hell of a lot better than what CINO's preach. The trouble is that CINO's are all we hear from in this country and they are particularly loathsome in their hatreds. Mormons consider themselves "Christians", but to a person, they're strictly CINO's. So are most other self-professed "Christians".

@jason024 besides... unless you go to a private christian school you do NOT get Creationism taught in schools. I have 6 children and 3 went through public schools and 3 in private. Private hands down!!!

@jason024 no @jason024. if that is your life style than so be it. But when you try to force feed me and my children with your disgusting views then I have a problem. What will happen next is that you will try and tell my kids that it is ok if you want to be a woman or man today. Its not ok. Schools were designed to teach not indoctrinate. It has become so bad that if a school in a strong conservative location has one student that doesn't like a prayer hanging on a wall that has been there for 50yrs has to remove due to courts forcing it. Even if student leaves after winning case. It is amazing how little tolerance you have when we are accused of the same when in reality we are the ones that do have it.

@ConservRedneck@jason024 I believe your error in rational thought is the term "life style". This is a rightist tag line to imply that sexual orientation is a "choice".

Pray tell, when did you choose to be heterosexual? Or was your rearing in a strict conservative "christian" environment simply suppressing your actual orientation and your vitriol (not to mention complete lack of reasoning) toward the subject simply a desperate act to deny your sexual attraction to other guys?

If you google how many highly vocal, anti-gay "conservative Christians" are caught in bed with same sex partners, you may understand why I ask.